March ’07 Newsletter

There is a saying in Spanish: “Crazy February and March a bit too as well.” Believe me, in Spanish it rhymes a little better, and makes a little more sense, but you get the idea of why I mentioned it.  March continued to be very extreme . . . some days were nice with the water flat as a tortilla, and then the next day the wind came up.  But nothing out of the ordinary; and as always, we enjoy what God send our ways.

In our last communication, we noted that all of the hotel and boat repairs, remodeling, redecoration and upgrading would be completed by the end of April or early May and we’re right on target.  The winter and early Spring winds are all but a memory, roosterfish are cruising the shore, bait fishes are being seen in larger quantities, and we’re getting more dorado almost every day!  One of our guests even landed the first swordfish of the year [see fishing/adventure story.]

Spring is a time of rebirth and I am reminded of that when looking at both our famous hotel gardens and the adjacent land with cactus flowers in full bloom.  Our team of gardeners is doing a fantastic job of making our little corner of the world a true paradise.

Bienvenidos, amigos . . . we will see you soon.

Up ‘n’ Coming

As you read this, the Fiesta de Pesca is going on; it’s our annual homage to the Fishing Gods and a terrific angling experience if you’ve never been here at this time of year.  If you are an early riser and live in Southern California, I will be with Pete Gray on his “Let’s Talk Hook Up” radio show with all of the resorts in the area on Sat., April 28.

On May 5  I will be co-hosting a seminar about our fishery with Penn Fishing University Director Steve Carson in the IWE store in Sacramento (4221 Northgate Blvd. across from Fry's Electronics.)  If you are anywhere in the Sacramento or Delta area, please stop by.

And if you haven’t yet made plans for Mother’s Day weekend (in Mexico we call that “Que poca M,” ask anyone at the resort or in Mexico and they will tell what it means), we can send out a gift certificate for a trip. Moms do not pay during this weekend.  The certificate also stands for any other special occasion you may have, so keep that in mind.

There are some sold-out weekends all the way to August. But call us anyway. You never know when Hortencia will amaze you with her magic and ability to pull a room out of a hat.  So give us a call.

Happenings that Happened

March was a month with little fishing at times, but good fishing when it was requested, but most important to us is that we were part of many special events –

Robert Ravard from Portland, Ore., together with his friends and family partied long and hard on March 13 celebrating his 50^th birthday.  Sabina Maucuzet and 14 guests from San Jose del Cabo were up until 5 a.m. for her birthday celebration.  Jon and Patricia Krager, Chinook, Wash., celebrated their 40^th wedding anniversary – a 10 night romantic vacation.  And on the other end of the marriage game were teh Khols just married who enjoyed the hotel as the perfect background for a great honeymoon.

Numerous reunions and corporate groups –

Tony Barcia and five friends from the Wilmington, Calif., area enjoyed great weather and great fishing.  The got in on the initial marlin, tuna and dorado run of ’07.  Barry Ashcraft and 22 guests from the Nugget Market played golf, toured the mountains, took city tours, and, of course, fished despite some windy days.  Noted architect Carlos Mondragón from Guadalajara (the land of the Mariachi) brought the entire family of six adults and six kids for a terrific reunion

Condominium Project

Thank you very much to all of you who emailed to be included in the news regarding the condo project. Esaul continues to work on it.  As you may know, Baja tends to run at its own pace, nevertheless progress is coming and there are deadlines (did you know there is no official translation to the word “deadline” in Spanish? Well there is, but not a well practiced one).  Still, the projected time for pre-sales is still this summer. We are still incorporating our list, please if you haven’t already done so, shoot me an email to axel@hotelbuenavista.com

Now that we have finished the winter outdoor and fishing show circuit and able to see so many of our long time friends, we discovered many who are interested in this project. Some of the questions were in regards to the affect that it will have in the hotel. We cannot say that it won’t have any, but we are definitely trying our hardest to avoid as many of them as possible. The primary idea is that even though it is still in the same property, it will be a completely independent project; with its own entrance, lobby, maintenance and staff crew.  We love our East Cape the way it has been until now, which it is able to differentiate itself from Cabo. We will continue the old Baja Charm.  And we pledge to maintain it.

Ohh!!, and another concern – this one from the wives (Kathy and Dianna) – you don’t have to cook.  This will still be your place to relax, fish, read a few books, swim and escape from it all, including cooking. But thank you very much as it has reassured us that we are thinking in the right direction.

Our long time friends Dave and Leslie Siegle visited. The Siegle family Jim, David and Dad were big supporters of my father’s beginnings. Our family has always considered them a very special family to all. In honor of this friendship, Esaul agreed on the first “honorary sale.” I may get trouble saying this, as after 30 years we have made many friends that one way or another have helped us become who we are today. We thank you all and remind you that, it is only “honorary,” but I didn’t want to pass the opportunity to make a public recognition of their help.

Guests, Groups and News About Them –

Our good friends from the non-profit ALMA organization visited us to nail down the dates for their event in October. Alma is an organization that was formed to help our pets in the East Cape, they do a fine job and we are happy to support them. Their tournament dates will be October 19-21 and if you are here or planning a trip during that weekend, make plans to join it.  It’s for a great cause and lots of fun.  

Linda Macbeth, winner of the East Cape Classic 2006, used up her certificate. Brian Berger bought our donated certificate for the IGFA, during their banquet.  Sheila Pontius, our good friend and almost neighbor from Todos Santos, paid us a visit.  Zuky Treviño escaped for a weekend from San Jose del Cabo. Corina Vargas and friends, all locals also visited from San Jose.  Mary and Buzz Fedorka were down for a quick trip to make sure everything is in place. Our good neighbor Herb Allen was in town for a few days and some of his friends stayed with us. Warren Verkerk, son of our good friends Ken and Linda from HI 5 lures visited . . .  There was the Joan Lowey Family Reunion

. . . and San Jose del Cabo friend Alejandro Landskron . . . so many people . . . so many good times

Returning Guests . . .

Dave Jauhal . . . Debbie and Bodo Meshkat for a quick business-related trip . . . James Starker after a long absence . . . Bob and Linda Baran . . . Diana Somerville . . . Rebecca Hassbroek . . . Robert Lusting (someone to look up to) . . . Togo Hazard and his friends Bill Fry and Kim Eady . . . Mertyce Mrvos? . . . Steve Tomlinson . . . Randy Donnell . . . David Beck . . . and Gary Ginter on his first trip of the year . . . Roger Morley . . . Al and Sherrie Phillips . . . Robin Littlefield . . . our newest friend from Alaska (looking for a little warm weather, no doubt) Tim Dillon . . .Gerald Goldman . . . and Henry Cerril. 

The Valdez Family

Click Here for February 2007 Total Fish Count

And Finally

U.S. citizens are now required to carry a passport (a driver’s license or other I.D. is no longer sufficient) and we urge you to get your new passport or renew your old one well in advance of your next trip Down Mexico Way.  Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Last Month’s Question:  Last month we asked, since we will be honoring our one and only Sr. Jesus Araiza, our question is in two parts about him. What year did he come over to Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort; and what is his boat’s complete name and why it was given this name?

The winner – with the longest and most complete answer in history – is our good friend and longtime guest Henry Howard.  His answer (in part) read – 

“When I saw what the prize is and who the question is about, there's no way I could resist!

“I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that Jesus Araiza actually started kippering at Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort in 1988.  He started his career as a mate at the original Rancho Buena Vista Hotel in 1953.

“The full name of his boat is the Eclipse '91, bestowed as a tribute to the legendary July 11, 1991 total solar eclipse, visible from all over Baja and the Mexican mainland (I

was lucky enough to see it in unobstructed blue skies from Playa Novillero, 35 miles south of Mazatlan).  If I recall correctly, Jesus told me he was fishing that day, and he and his clients got to watch the amazing spectacle at the same time they were trolling for marlin.

“Even if I have the story wrong, that is the reason for the name of the boat as Eclipse '91,

I am quite sure. If I'm wrong, I'll eat a dorado or something, raw, as punishment!  And if I win the contest, I damn well better get a day with Jesus!”

Congratulations, Henry.  As agreed, we will try to get you a day with Jesus, but since he’s in semi-retirement we can’t guarantee it.  If not Jesus, it will be with one of our other great skippers – the Best in the West – and that we can guarantee. 

Contest of the Month!

QUESTION OF THIS MONTH: 

Since Matt Bloom has the honor of the first swordfish of 2007, we thought we’d find out what you know about these magnificent creatures.  The most distinguishing characteristic of swordfish is, of course, the long bill or “sword.”  What is the function of the fish’s sword?

Prize: Specialty dinner certificate  for two.

Email your answers to:  webmaster@hotelbuenavsita.com The closest guess and the first to the actual correct answer will be the winner.

In the News

This month's story is great and it should bring memories for those who fished with us late last year, as it talks about fishing tuna off Los Frailes with squid chunks caught right in front of the resort .  click here to read it

Special Deals and Events

You Won't Want to Miss!

Receive a special discount when you participate. Call for details 

Join our special

 MOTHERS DAY CELEBRATION

and be part of a special dinner, as we serenade all our mothers

July

After school vacation, good grades take your kids down our way,. Kids stay for free.

July 26^th-30^th 

14th Annual Sportfishing with

DAN HERNANDEZ

Join Dan Hernandez and his TV crew on their 14^th annual East Cape trip. Sponsors prizes and a chance to be part of his famous TV show.  Sign up early and get great upgrades.

July 31^st-August 4^th

6th ANNUAL

BISBEE EAST CAPE FISHING TOURNAMENT

Be a part of Hotel Buena Vista’s Team in the $300,000 cash prices in the East Cape Bisbee’s 6th Annual Tournament. Call for details.